Dear readers,
Amid concerns for the future of multilateralism, one important ongoing process is in the fiscal world with ongoing negotiations of the UN Convention for International Tax Cooperation. Why does it matter? Read TAI’s new explanatory brief for funders and field, and then check out GI-ESCR’s new research demonstrating how the Convention represents a pivotal moment for global tax justice. Although there are concerns that several Global North countries are now attempting to roll back transparency measures by invoking privacy concerns as justification, it is reassuring that international tax cooperation is among the new German government’s development priorities as it seeks to champion multilateral approaches.
Lots more to catch up on this week, including jobs and events - happy reading!
TAI team
WHAT'S NEW?
As the Mo Ibrahim Governance Weekend wrapped up in Marrakesh (read highlights curated by Suneeta Kaimal), its founder published an OpEd emphasizing the need for governance and rule of law as essential for economic growth on the African continent in a reduced aid world.
European civil society faces escalating threats to democratic participation according to the latest Civic Space Report from the European Civic Forum and Civic Space Watch. Authors call for immediate action from EU and national leaders to protect civil society organizations from systematic attacks.
Should there be an UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy? Human rights advocates and democracy practitioners debated how the United Nations could strengthen its democratic engagement globally, meeting around the Oslo Freedom Forum.
Former USAID staffers have helped launch the DRG Hub collating demcoracy, rights, and governance-related resources for development in one ready home for field use. Check it out!
Judy Hofmeyr examines lessons from South Africa for community participation in mining, while Kenny Manduna documents governance of illegal mining in the country.
The latest Financial Secrecy Index from Tax Justice Network documents how financial opacity undermines democratic governance globally, and gives new evidence of connections between secrecy jurisdictions and democratic erosion.
Authoritarian leaders such as El Salvador's Bukele are using anti-globalist narratives to justify dismantling critical NGOs. CONNECTAS highlights how other regional leaders are now characterizing academics, journalists, and international organizations as conspirators against national sovereignty.
The New York Times editorial board draws attention to corruption of the US administration and threats to rule of law and democracy, while Nobel prize-winner Paul Krugman does the same from an economic perspective.
The Sentry's latest investigation reveals the massive scale of forest-based financing for criminal organizations worldwide. Known solutions could make a big difference: enhanced government cooperation, stronger enforcement mechanisms, supply chain transparency, public-private partnerships, and crucially, following financial flows.
New research suggests sanctioned Belarusian state media successfully influenced Poland's 2025 presidential elections through digital platforms, highlighting vulnerabilities in current regulatory approaches. More positively, the Anti-Corruption Foundation, founded by Alexei Navalny, is launching satellite broadcasting to once again bring content to Russian audiences.
Uganda's digital economy faces significant worker protection challenges, according to new policy research from Pollicy. Their brief outlines specific recommendations for improving platform accountability in one of Africa's fastest-growing digital markets.
Global governance institutions must fundamentally transform their approaches or risk irrelevance, argues Yana Gevorgyan. She calls for radical innovation in multilateral institutions to address contemporary development challenges effectively.
Fresh research establishes taxation policy as a critical determinant of public health outcomes. The briefing paper demonstrates how tax systems directly influence governance quality and health equity. Evidence suggests the need for integrated policy approaches.
Mineral governance requires simultaneous transformation across multiple systems rather than incremental change, argues Arvinn Gadgil in this new International Institute for Sustainable Development commentary.
ESSENTIAL READING!
"We Can't See the Sunset" Zine combines community testimonies, practical organizing guides, original artwork, and strategic analysis into a comprehensive tool for environmental justice advocates. The publication amplifies voices from communities bearing the greatest burden of environmental harm while providing concrete guidance for building collective power toward a just transition.
FROM OUR MEMBERS
MACARTHUR FOUNDATION: President John Palfrey has published a response to widespread concerns about nonprofit sector sustainability. Palfrey acknowledges the sector's current challenges while outlining how foundations can provide more effective support during uncertain times, offering practical guidance for philanthropic institutions seeking to strengthen their partner organizations rather than simply maintaining traditional funding relationships.
HUMANITY UNITED: Has shared a guest blog by Zsuzsanna Lippai, CEO of The Fuller Project, on why journalism that centers marginalized voices deserves greater support. She makes the case for recognizing independent journalism as essential to accountability and change.
PACKARD FOUNDATION: Enduring ocean solutions start with the communities that depend on it most. That’s why the Packard Foundation partners with local leaders to restore marine biodiversity, support sustainable fisheries, and advance ocean-based climate solutions. Read about their Ocean Strategy.
FORD FOUNDATION: Seeks a Program Officer for Building Institutions and Networks with application deadline July 7, focusing on strengthening civil society infrastructure globally.
ESSENTIAL WATCHING
Romanian democracy advocates have demonstrated how to defeat authoritarian populism through strategic communication and coalition building. Watch this D-Space's analysis of recent Romanian elections, which showcases a practical case study in "how to outsmart, outvote, and out-vibe authoritarian populism." Their documentation shows how grassroots organizers transformed public frustration into democratic momentum, turning social media platforms into tools for civic engagement rather than division.
TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS
Alliance Magazine's analysis of "big bet" philanthropy over the past decade reveals both successes and remaining challenges in large-scale, unrestricted funding approaches. Gabrielle Fitzgerald and Ashif Shaikh offer guidance for foundations, while highlighting areas where big bet approaches have fallen short of their transformative potential.
Collective social innovation represents a more effective approach to systemic change than traditional single-organization funding, according to Cynthia Rayner, Sophia Otoo & François Bonnici. Analysis of successful collaborative efforts demonstrates how bringing multiple organizations together repeatedly over time can address complex social issues that individual organizations cannot tackle alone.
Philanthropic competition undermines sector effectiveness and contradicts values of social justice, argue the co-founders of Closer Than You Think. Urging foundations to move beyond scarcity-based thinking toward collaborative abundance approaches, they document their own learning journey from competitive institutional leadership toward feminist collaborative practices.
Southern Voice has launched Global South Perspectives, featuring comprehensive analysis from 16 researchers across nine member institutions. The collection includes both written analysis and video discussions, and offers perspectives on development challenges from Global South scholars and practitioners often excluded from international policy debates.
FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK:
From São Paulo to Nairobi: How Global Philanthropy is Reimagining Social Change
Philanthropy in the United States is dealing with high uncertainty at the moment - potential for new taxes on endowments, legal threats, demands to fill in for government funding cuts, and more. Yet philanthropic landscapes are evolving worldwide, and there are examples of resilience and creativity from around the globe to build on.
Perspectives for Brazilian Philanthropy released by the Institute for the Development of Social Investment identifies six key trends shaping the philanthropy landscape in 2025. They show how Brazilian philanthropy is not only responding to national challenges but also generating ideas for practice that resonate far beyond the country’s borders.
The interconnected nature of global philanthropy is highlighted by recent research conducted by WINGS, which has mapped both domestic and international actors within the philanthropic support ecosystem for social movements across Latin America and Africa. This comprehensive study focuses on regranting organizations created by civil society to provide crucial support to often-overlooked communities and activists operating at the grassroots level.
The WINGS research advocates for funders to adopt an ecosystem approach that prioritizes long-term investment in the infrastructure supporting these movements. This strategic perspective recognizes that sustainable social change requires robust support systems that can nurture and sustain grassroots activism over time. The study's findings align with TAI’s own research on global South intermediaries and their role in driving just and equitable governance, demonstrating the growing recognition of locally-rooted organizations as essential drivers of social transformation. Indeed, movement ecosystem approaches represent the future of effective philanthropy according to analysis by Alex Sardar. His research demonstrates how supporting interconnected networks of organizations deliver greater impact than traditional single-organization funding models.
Are we seeing a meaningful shift toward more strategic, locally-informed, and ecosystem-oriented approaches to philanthropy? Let us know what you think on TAI social media.
ESSENTIAL READING
What happens after investigative revelations? The Sentry has published insights into their post-investigation impact work, revealing systematic approaches to tracking government responses, supporting prosecutions, pursuing sanctions, and maintaining pressure on corrupt actors long after initial exposure. This "watchful sentry" approach demonstrates how investigative organizations can maximize long-term accountability outcomes.
JOBS
Multiple openings - Hewlett Foundation
Multiple openings - MacArthur Foundation
Multiple Openings - Gates Foundation
Various Opportunities - Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Multiple positions - Brennan Center for Justice
Civic Engagement Coordinator, Professorship of Art in Time-based Media (W2), Professorship of Macroeconomics (W2) - Bard College Berlin
Deputy Africa Director - Natural Resource Governance Institute.
Executive Director - Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. Deadline June 13, 2025.
Digital Justice Fund Lead (Remote) - Weaving Liberation. Deadline June 15, 2025.
Trustee Recruitment – Alliance Publishing Trust (APT). Deadline July 31, 2025.
CALLS
Apply for the Peer Learning Circle focused on AI Accountability! The Pulitzer Center’s Peer Learning Circle offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of AI concepts through real-world examples.
Applications are now open for People Powered’s hands-on capacity-building support to organizations addressing public participation challenges. The programs offer tailored mentorship and accelerator programs to strengthen democratic practice implementation.
The Spyware Accountability Initiative has released a Call for Concept Notes, seeking innovative approaches to combating surveillance technology misuse. Deadline June 13, 2025.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has opened applications for non-Economic and Social Council NGOs to participate in the 11th Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, with submissions due June 27 for this crucial anti-corruption gathering.
WINGS is accepting proposals for the 2025 Lift Up Philanthropy Fund, offering €350,000 for projects in philanthropy ecosystem building, regulatory advocacy, and multi-stakeholder SDG partnerships. Open to members in Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean. Apply by June 30, 2025.
CIVICUS invites activists and changemakers to help shape the agenda of the International Civil Society Week (ICSW) 2025. Submit your ideas by 30 June 2025.
Take the World Bank's Introduction to Public Expenditure & Financial Accountability course. Learn about the PEFA framework, which assesses a country's public financial management system. Complete the course and pass the final quiz to earn a certificate.
Open Government Partnership has opened applications for the Helen Darbishire Fund for Civil Society, Deadline July 6.
Copenhagen Leadership Development - The Leading with Foresight expedition runs August 27-29, designed to help leaders and organizations prepare for uncertain futures through strategic foresight training. Final Registration Date: 27 July 2025.
The 10th edition of the School for Thinktankers returns to Fundació Bofill in Barcelona in 2026. Submit your early-bird application.
CALENDAR
8th Impacts of Civic Technology Conference (TICTeC), Mechelen, and online. June 10 and 11, 2025.
Leading Locally 2025, Minneapolis - St. Paul, June 10-12, 2025.
GLI Forum Latam, Mexico City, June 10-12, 2025.
"What kinds of funding work? Philanthropy's Priorities in Times of Polycrisis" Alliance Magazine webinar, June 11, 2025.
Carnegie Europe hosts "Understanding the Information Environment to Protect Democracy" at 5:00 PM CEST, Brussels and Online, June 11, 2025.
Foro Permanente latinoamericano para la Decolonización de la cooperación, Bogota, 11-12 June, 2025.
9th East Africa Philanthropy Conference. Kigali, June 11-13, 2025.
Why the UN’s Internet Governance Forum still matters twenty years on, Atlantic Council’s Democracy + Tech Initiative, June 12, 9:00 a.m. ET
On Think Tanks Conference 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa, June 16 - 18, 2025.
How to talk about a Wellbeing Economy : Wellbeing Economy Alliance, June 17th, 2025.
"Funding Scale: What's working — and what needs to change", 14:00 BST, June 18, 2025.
OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Civil Society Days (CSDs), 18-19 June 2025 at the OECD in Paris and online.
International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) - Berlin, June 23-25, 2025.
CEU DI Annual Conference 2025: Excessive Wealth Concentration and Democracy, Budapest, June 23-24, 2025.
2025 World Justice Forum, Warsaw, Poland. June 23-26, 2025.
"Big bets: Large, unrestricted, multi-year funding" Alliance Magazine webinar (15:00 BST), June 24, 2025.
4th International Financing for Development Conference, Seville, June 30 - July 3, 2025
2025 Global Procurement Forum, OECD, Paris, July 1 and 2, 2025.
Inside the Congo Hold-Up: How a Captured Bank Enabled Grand Corruption, July 10th, 2025
6th African Philanthropy Conference. The American University in Cairo (AUC), July 29-31, 2025.
5th African Conference on Debt and Development (AfCoDD V), Accra, Ghana, August 27-29, 2025.
New Economies: Hope in a time of collapse, Partners for a New Economy, Lyon, France, 1st-2nd October 2025.
The PPPN Conference 2025 focuses on "How to Push Back the Threats to Democracy" at the Olof Palme Centre, Stockholm, October 7-8, 2025.
Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, October 7-9, 2025
2025 IPI World Congress and Media Innovation Festival, Vienna, October 23 - 25, 2025.
International Civil Society Week 2025, co-organized by CIVICUS global civil society alliance and Asia Democracy Network, Bangkok. 1-5 November 2025.
Global Investigative Journalism Conference (#GIJC25). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Thursday, November 20-24, 2025.
11th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP11) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), Doha, Qatar. December 14-19, 2025.
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